How Not To Write

There was a recent report in the decline in reading among the population of the United States. It seems that something like this comes out every few years, no doubt commissioned by publishers as a means of justifying losses to their shareholders or by nervous academics who fear for their cushy quasi-literary existence in [...]

At this point in my creative career, it hardly matters whether I am a poet with a novelist’s mind or a novelist with a poet’s voice. The position is irrelevant as I am unlike to produce any work of importance (or interest). If I am not quite at ease with this situation, I [...]

There is done, as in complete, and done as in finished. These are not the same thing. A completed novel is polished and as ready as it will ever be. A finished novel is something you don’t plan to work on anymore. It is an abandoned pile of ideas and scribbles. [...]

Scott Berkun’s article on “How to Write a Book” is the the kind of straightforward approach to the subject that I enjoy. He says what I also say, Anyone can write a book and then he gives you some solid practical advice for getting on with it.
But what sort of book should you write?
Does [...]

I’ll admit it. I’m a television junkie. For years, I had a complete moratorium on television. Wouldn’t even allow it to be turned on when I was in the house. But life goes on. You have kids or your spouse is not exactly appreciative of the pristine intellectual environment you’re trying to create. Maybe stress [...]